I seem to have a problem with moderating myself when it comes to playtime on Video Games, How do you keep yourself from just endlessly playing games?
Umm… having a job? Takes care of that problem very easily.
Less sleep it is!
health problems would like to know your location
@Raphipod So I can’t really get a normal job but hope to create my own business to fill up my ‘non-gaming time’. It’s just trying to not slowly fill that time up with “You know I’ll play a game” and then loose another 3 days just mindlessly gaming for hours on end.
Wait 10-20 years. Play games that are way too large and complex for your attention span. Build up such a huge Steam backlog that whenever you try to play a game, you feel guilty about all the ones you’re not playing. Play games that require reflexes better than the ones you have.
Using these tricks, I’ve cut my gaming time down almost to zero!
Yep. If you’re a teen and worrying about enjoying video games too much, just enjoy it while it lasts. There a lot of worse stuff you could be doing, like meth.
@PeterPoopshit Not a Teen Sadly, I’m 21 and need to better for myself.
When you’re 30, addicted to alcohol, have a shitty job and have a hard time enjoying anything anymore you’ll look back on these times with envy I promise. Being able to play video games all day and experiencing drug-use like fulfillment from it is a superhuman power in and of itself.
Stay away from alcohol and drugs for as long as you can.
@PeterPoopshit Don’t worry I have parents that have experienced drugs and alcohol to the fullest so I stay away from them. The problem is that gaming for me is destructive especially for the possible future I could have with a career, worst case I hope I fall back into Video Games and just mindlessly play them, best case I actually do something with my life and make a difference at least from what I feel like I’ve done.
@lolcatnip That’s pretty much how I’ve gained my gaming addiction, like there’s way to many games to play ok back to the same game and for a really long time.
Oh man you me. But when I want to play I just wait for weekend. Besides that I don’t have the time. My collecting gotten worse though thanks to Epic.
Do you play games, or do you play a game endlessly. If it’s games then it might be easier to sprinkle other activities into the mix like learning to play a musical instrument, etc. If it’s a game, especially if it’s a live service game, MMO, hatch’s, etc, then they might have successfully tapped into “your formula”, in which case if recommend dropping the game entirely. Games like that are specifically designed to keep you playing indefinitely.
Source: I’m a former Destiny addict.
As a lifetime gamer (40s) staying away from ‘service’ games with an endless endgame really does help for self regulation. If there is ‘a game’ that you just zonk out on the gameplay loop thats the blurst. If I get a game I like it to be a game with a conrete ending now, there is a ‘final’ final boss, there is a dungeon meant to be the last challege. If it’s just ‘SUPER HARD AREA X WITH DROPRATE OF THING YOU WANT’ fuck that. Especially if you hear game dev talk about having to design these kind of casino models really turns you off to them.
@FunkyMonk I’m glad I never have really got into MMOs. Thank you, I’ll most likely have to seek help but hopefully with some of the things people have suggested I can at least take the first steps to helping my life.
So true, I have to do this with some predatory mobile game or another every year or two. Sometimes one of them just gets you.
@JoMiran I luckily haven’t got into MMOs as of yet, it seems that I end up playing different games but will play each one endlessly the main problem is that I use gaming as a way to relax from stress but then lose myself inside of it. The more I look at it, the more I feel I need therapy over it as it seems like a addiction I will most likely not get out of without help.
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In a way, I understand. There are no rules. I do think there is a good chance that living out that idea in any or every aspect of life can be very damaging. My motto is everything in moderation, including moderation.
@somethingsnappy Thank you, Yes I’m trying to take control of my life back from just mindless on video games, been doing it way to long and it seems it’s become an addiction.
Real gamer right here.
@NumbersCanBeFun Hey, So my main problem isn’t that my life isn’t ‘paid’ for, I’ve been registered as never being able to work due to my Autism and Fibromyalgia and have moved out of my parents place. My goals are to feel more to feel accomplished by doing some tasks I feel like need to or could be done in my life such as Video Editing being a big passion, making that into a career of some kind.
I feel as if gaming has taking over my life and is sometimes a way of me finding a way to no get on and do the things I know rather need to be done or should possibly be done. I could easily spend the next 30+ years of my life playing games day in and day out on autopilot but rather take control of at-least some of my life without 100% giving up gaming as it still helps me relax.
Autism is where I think that this get difficult, and where I think a lot of the responses might miss.
Gaming is really seems to be a ‘specisl interest’, especially if it’s one game in particular. And taking that away without any replacement isn’t good, since it’s what your brain needs to self regulate. It’s not so much an addiction as nicotine or alcohol can be, but more like food, or hydration. You need a method of regulation.
If you’re worried about the effects of gaming specifically, then the only thing is to find another special interest that grips you in the way that games/that game does. It sounds like you have an idea already on what that might be. All I can say is that you should try and throw yourself into it head first!
@fluke Thank you, yeah I think I know a more healthy hobbie to get myself into that I am passionate about just going to try and see how today goes when I turn my PC on and it could go one of two ways, back into gaming and can’t stop or working on the project that I should do and pushing for it.
Video editors can get paid by content creators.
Follow your passions. Do what you want.
@Enzy That’s the goal, thanks.
Words to live by.
Honestly, mine came about organically with other responsibilities and interests.
Earlier on, I’d moderated myself but picking up another hobby, like playing bass guitar and adding that into my priorities.
Once out of college, other priorities, like making better than decent meals, my significant other, and continuing my tabletop RPG crew kinda helped me stop spending endless weekend or day off hours on a game.
Probably, the largest piece for me is having a family and a friend group that I care to keep up with. When I was younger, I escaped through games, but now I use them more like how I use a book or TV series and look for experiences I’ll find meaningful instead of just grinding rep or xp points in a loop.
@iltoroargento Thank you, I feel like pushing for some of the other hobbies I have such as Video Editing is a more healthy way to express myself. Sometimes it feels like I just get swallowed by the idea of gaming.
Totally get that. And of course!
I think stuff that gets you out of the same headspace and even room in which you game can help reprioritize things.
Video editing is a super useful skill and it may make you want to go out and capture different shots or compile something for someone else, too. My highschool buddy started getting into AV stuff a while ago and just did a really good job compiling the highlights of another of our friend’s weddings and I guarantee all of us are gonna keep that file on some drive for a long time!
As others have said, if it’s that progression loop kinda thing you’re stuck in like with an MMO or online shooter, I say kick that stuff as fast as you can.
If you really wanna keep going with some of the MMO stuff, look into hosting your own game. My buddies and I love old school World of Warcraft and finally decided to host our own server which has been a game changer.
Idk if that’s all gonna be applicable, but you can cut down or out a lot of stuff by just identifying what “itch” is scratched by your gaming. If you take steps to control how you consume that media, you are more aware of the time commitment and effect it has on you.
Hope that helps and it’s awesome you’re looking to introspect about your hobbies!
By staying the fuck away from MMOs. 😂 🙃
@FoundTheVegan I don’t actually play any MMOs, never have really grabbed my attention but still doesn’t stop me from endlessly playing games due to them being Round-Based or never-ending games like Minecraft. Thanks for the advice though.
Multiplayer games in general are hard to regulate. MMO’s, Mobas, FPS, ARPGs. This games are designed to swallow weeks of your life before you react. When I stopped playing these type of games it didn’t become as much of a problem to regulate my gaming.
Write down what an optimal day for someone your age, in your living area, looks like. Weekly activities. Exercise. Etc. Start implementing the we things into your life at a pace that isn’t to slow but not too fast either.
Set goals what most of your days should consist of. Most days. Don’t set routines that are too nailed down. Don’t go overboard. Excersise three times a week? Two days need to be back to back but the third can be anytime during the week? Things like that.
Work this into your routine. Take one step at a time.
If I regret one thing at the age of 37 it would be not having some kind of exercise in my weekly routine from my early 20s. I would be in sooo much better shape, have more energy, be more alert.
Balance in everything is key.
@hogart Thank you, Even know I don’t have issues with weight (at least not over weight) this is really helpful. I know I can’t go full cold turkey over the games otherwise I fall back into them hard and it’s good to see other people say to slowly get myself off them. Luckily I never have got into the MMO side of things as I’m sure I wouldn’t even be messaging to people online at the point, I mainly play round-based games such as CounterStrike, limiting my play and replacing it with something else slowly is probably the way to go. Thank you.
I’m not overweight either. But I wouldn’t wanna look at the inside of my body. I’m probably an overweight person I skinny body. Mental health is a big thing. As in having a fresh mind, able to focus on semi mundane tasks, keeping a good temper, etc. If you manage to gain just a small amount of muscle every year that’s just a bonus. Glad my post made some sense to you. Tried summerising the things I think matters for everyone regardless of individual situation. Stay good!
Have children. You’ll be too tired to play more than 30 minutes a night
@TORFdot0 I know I hate myself but I really don’t hate myself to go out of my way and have a child, also as a lesbian, no thank you.
Have any pets? Gotta take my dog for walks and make sure he’s taken care of on regular intervals.
You have to find other outlets.
It’s a long process with therapy etc…
But you have to find something else that’s more important to you. Video games are designed to appeal to your need for quick feedback, and it’s awful
This may require some significant lifestyle changes.
Finding a hobby does not involve therapy lmao literally just try different activities until something makes you feel like you are playing your favorite game.
That’s basically what a therapist would tell someone anyways. Therapy can’t make you magically find the new hobby you like.
@Mago In another comment I got suggested to Gamify my life a little as that could help with being stuck on games all the time, what I feel might be the best route to go as unless I end up doing E-Sports or something I probably won’t quite get that ‘itch’.
If you want to maybe get into art or something I can provide resources or recommend novels and all if that’s your thing. Would that help?
@WeLoveCastingSpellz I’m more into Video Editing than art, it’s actually want I’m trying to swap my habbits with.
Focussing on that should probs help, good luck overcoming your addiction!
@ArbiterXero Thank you, I can’t afford Therapy sadly, What I know would be a really helpful tool not only for dealing with my possible gaming addiction but other struggles that I use gaming to help ‘mend’.
I know from years of small experience that I am interested in Video Editing and I know that’s one of the things I’d like to make time for instead of gaming. I know it’s going to take time especially as I don’t want to lose gaming fully from my life as it’s a good relaxant.
Get married and have a kid, you’ll moderate yourself quickly, don’t you worry about that my friend.
Unfortunately this kills off all the hobbies, not just gaming. And your free time(
@nodimetotie That’s why I have no plans on kids
@Ghostlight I have a partner, I’m Trans (lesbian) and never want kids.
Embrace the lesbian stereotype. Adopt a dozen cats or dogs and start a wholesome small business. Bam, no more free time
I agree with what others have said about gamifying life. For example, ‘oh it’s 5pm, I need to spend 30 minutes doing some tidying before I can play a game again’. And for games with no clear end point, set yourself goals so you know when to take a break. ‘Once I’ve built this factory, I need to take an hour’s break before I can play again’.
@OmegaMouse It’s actually what I’ve been trying out today, I didn’t know that’s what people meant by Gamify your life I more thought they were saying to give myself a score for doing tasks and stuff.
Currently doing play a game of CS2, if I win then I have less work to do but if I lose I have to do twice the amount of work and then I can go back on. This is almost like a reward / punishment system for myself to try and not only play the game (or not lol) and then just do the task. Once I have no tasks left I’m free to enjoy what ever game I like without worrying about they I got that thing to do.
I hope this could possibly work in the long run.
Yeah I guess that’s my take on ‘gamifying things’, but there’s probably a few different ways to do it. I’ve heard that in psychology, rewards are a lot more effective than punishments - so maybe frame it slightly differently. Personally I wouldn’t base things on how well you do in the game, because that could get frustrating - in the worst scenario you’ll already be annoyed at doing poorly in the game, and that’s followed by having to do more work. Instead I’d spin it, so if you do all the tidying reward yourself with an hour of gaming. If you get all your chores done, you get 2 hours of gaming etc.
@OmegaMouse I guess that could work, I would really just have to try which method would work for me in the end but I will hopefully get to the point I still get to enjoy the games I like as well as do the things I should / need to do.
I don’t.
Short attention span leading to doing gaming in short bursts. Sometimes I lose interest in games for months and get more into the mood to watch TV shows and movies. Then lose interest in that and move to reading then lose interest in that and going back to gaming. Rinse and repeat. Has helped me avoid the whole not having fun with games anymore threads that I’d see a lot, since my focus just naturally shifts back and forth to keep things feeling fresh.
@NightOwl I seem to go through a similar cycle, that or I end up merging my gaming with also watching the shows / movies I want to watch. I’m more trying to make time for things such as Video Editing as well as other ‘hobbie’ based things that are more likely to earn money.
Depression? Don’t try that at home, would not recommend!
@Scrof Oh don’t worry already went through a lot of Depression, it seems to be one of the reasons I play Video Games. To ‘escape’ from the real world it’s just getting in the way of some of the things that might make me happy such as Video Editing.
When you get older it gets harder and harder to play video games frequently.
I can maybe squeeze in an hour of gaming every third day if I am efficient (work and household stuff) and lucky. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, just there are many games I want to experience so I have to be very selective.
For me, it’s that a game is a big time and energy investment. I’m hesitant to jump in.
@kandoh That’s what I’m normally like for bigger games but then I always find some game that can just fill up my time to the point I’ve paid twice the amount of time the ‘Big’ game would have.
I had this happen with me for Hearthstone. It’s so easy and quick to play that it ends up taking up a huge chunk of time.
Once I stopped playing it though, nothing else could really fill the void. So my playtime decreased and never really recovered
@kandoh I’m 21, Moved out of home and don’t have to work… I have nothing but time and that’s the problem.
That’s nothing to feel guilty about as long as you’re not neglecting trying to find a job and self improvement. Your 20s are rough, all opportunities available are pretty shitty and exploit your energy and inexperience. Videogames are a great way to stay sane during this.
@kandoh I know my career path is right there with Video Editing I just seem to end up doing games over editing and it’s something that I will most likely have to seek professional help in the future for.
